Calamba- The Birthplace of Our National Hero

             Laguna have been always my hometown. Actually, I grew up in Alabang but I consider Laguna as my hometown. One of the places that I really love in Laguna is Calamba City. It’s name has a very interesting history. There are three things I admire about Calamba City. First is the residence of our National Hero, Jose Rizal. Second is the "Banga". Third is the Plaza. I also have many experiences in this place.

            According to some stories told by my former teachers, the name came from a legend. Long time ago, there were two soldiers passing by and they saw a woman carrying a “kalan” and “banga”. She thought that she was asked by the soldiers if what she was carrying then she said “kalan-banga.” The soldiers had hard time pronouncing it so Calamba became the name then.

             The residence of our National Hero, Jose Rizal could be found at the heart of Calamba City. It is located near the old municipal hall and City College of Calamba. While we were living in Alabang and I was in pre-school, I remember that we had a field trip at Jose Rizal’s birthplace. I was not aware that someday, we would live nearby his residence. When we already moved to Laguna, my parents enrolled me to Letran-Calamba for my Elementary and High School. Whenever I go to school, I always see the antique stones of their house and the sculpture of little Rizal and a dog. Believe me or not, we’ve been staying in Laguna since Elementary but I just re-visited Jose Rizal’s house when I was in third year. Upon observing the entire house, the furnitures are really vintage. Taking photo are prohibited inside. There are lots of students away from Laguna that visit it. There was a time when I was walking along Rizal’s house when a group of students where having a field trip there and they were saying “Ah, ito pala yun.”

               As a representation of the jar the woman is carrying on the 2nd paragraph, the Banga could be seen in Calamba City. It is a “banga” which is color brown and it is printed with the ”barangays” of Calamba. You will use stairs to go beside it. I do not know if some “crazy” individuals are entering inside it. 

               The “plaza” is one of the essential places in Calamba City. It is near both to the “banga” and Rizal’s residence. It is where the center of all events in Calamba. It is just a simple park with a front and back stages, restrooms and when there is an event, they could easily design it for its big size. When there is no event, I could see many teen-agers like me who are skateboarding. The most special event that is annually happening in the “plaza” is the Christmas presentations from different schools of Calamba which includes one or two schools per day.

           I have lots or personal experiences in Calamba City. Two of the most memorable was when I tasted the yummy “turon”  and ”adobong mais”  which can be bought near a tailoring shop which we ask for clothes to be used in some events. Even though I tasted many of it from many places, the ones in Calamba is the most delightful for me. No wonder, sometimes when I go there it is already sold out. The second experience was my everyday trip to Calamba City because when I go to school, I need to pass to it because it’s an easier way to travel to school and there I discovered the three things I love about Calamba.